Jamie Lee Curtis’ Halloween opened strongly with $7.7 million at 3,200 locations in Thursday night previews.
Universal’s R-rated horror film recorded one of the biggest preview nights for a horror movie. Warner’s It took in $13.5 million from 3,500 theaters on September 7, 2017.
In the new movie, Curtis returning as Laurie Strode facing off against serial killer Michael Myers.
Universal is forecasting a $50 million bow at 3,928 sites, while others have projected a $70 million launch.
Halloween is also releasing in 21 international territories this weekend.
Halloween will surpass the franchise record opening of $26 million set by the 2007 Rob Zombie reboot.
Halloween should have one of the best starts for an R-rated horror film, a list headed by It ($123 million), Hannibal ($58 million), and “The Nun” ($53 million).
The low production budget ($10 million) makes the sequel highly profitable, in terms of input-output.
